Written by: Andrew Hermann
Edited by: Annika Lilja
On September 12, 2023, American politics entered what is now charted territory as the Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, made a historic announcement – the initiation of another impeachment inquiry, this time against President Joe Biden. This landmark decision is the third time in recent years that impeachment has cast a shadow over the nation's political landscape, demonstrating that it is now a widely used political tactic. McCarthy's audacious move has far-reaching consequences since it potentially symbolizes his attempt to oust a Democratic president. McCarthy's lack of aggressiveness in this way was something far-right House Republicans like Matt Gaetz had been critical of McCarthy for, and prior to McCarthy's call for a Biden impeachment inquiry, Gaetz advocated for McCarthy's removal from his role as Speaker of the House.
This impeachment inquiry is motivated by allegations that President Biden personally benefited from his son, Hunter Biden's foreign business ventures during his tenure as Vice President from 2009 to 2017. House Republicans, who at the moment, hold a fragile majority, argue that these allegations amount to financial misconduct and corruption. They specifically accuse President Biden of misleading the public about his knowledge of his son's business activities and raise doubts about the substantial sums earned by Hunter and other family members from overseas enterprises. Additionally, they allege that the Biden administration intervened in a criminal tax investigation involving Hunter Biden, alleging special treatment. Speaker McCarthy's decision to launch the impeachment inquiry has sparked significant controversy in its own right.McCarthy unilaterally announced this, bypassing a formal House vote, further entangling Republican investigations with ongoing financial disputes in Congress. As a likely consequence of this unprecedented situation, and due to the absence of concrete evidence despite more than a month of investigation by House Republicans, many house republicans, including Rep. Ken Buck, do not support McCarthy's push for impeachment. Speculatory observers interpret this move as an effort to appease far-right Republican factions that have expressed frustration with what they perceive as McCarthy's lack of assertiveness in pursuing President Biden.
McCarthy has ordered that three key House committees: Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means conduct this inquiry, with the objective to bring forth tangible evidence of Biden’s alleged financial misconduct. At this point, despite months of investigation, Republicans have yet to present concrete evidence to back up their allegations. The initiation of an impeachment inquiry represents a significant shift in House Republican rhetoric, and it grants them expanded powers to demand documents, search warrants, and testimony, something they seemingly will utilize to present concrete evidence of their currently foundationless accusation.
The consequences of this decision are precedent-setting. It introduces the platform for potential House hearings, something that will undoubtedly divert lawmakers' attention from other pressing matters, including the concerns of a government shutdown. Furthermore, it has the potential to further increase tensions in the already fierce 2024 presidential race, with former President Donald Trump seeking to return to office after his loss in the 2020 election to President Biden. Supporting Republicans contend that their investigations have unearthed sufficient evidence already, including phone records and financial transactions, which they argue "paint a picture of a culture of corruption" within the Biden family. It is essential to note, however, that they have yet to provide any non-speculatory direct evidence of misconduct by President Biden himself.
The launch of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden represents a momentous and polarizing development in American politics. While Republicans allege financial misconduct and corruption, they have not yet presented concrete evidence directly implicating the president in any wrongdoing. As this inquiry unfolds, it carries far-reaching political implications, potentially influencing legislative priorities and the trajectory of the 2024 presidential race. The nation watches with bated breath to see where the evidence leads and whether it ultimately culminates in the historic impeachment of another American president. This situation underscores the ever-evolving polarizing nature of American democracy today and highlights the impact of political decisions on the nation's future.
Sources:
Cowan, Richard, and Makini Brice. “US House’s McCarthy Opens Long-Shot Impeachment Probe of Biden.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 12 September 2023, www.reuters.com/world/us/top-us-house-republican-mccarthy-calls-biden-impeachment-inquiry-2023-09-12/.
“Gaetz Says Impeachment Inquiry Not Enough, Threatens to Oust McCarthy.” Gaetz Threatens McCarthy, Unsatisfied with Impeachment Probe, ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/09/12/gaetz-says-impeachment-inquiry-not-enough--threatens-to-oust-mccarthy. Accessed 26 September 2023.
Keith, Tamara. “In the Tale of 5 Presidential Impeachments, How Will the Latest One Stack Up?” NPR, NPR, 18 September 2023, www.npr.org/2023/09/18/1199613387/biden-impeachment-trump-clinton-nixon.
Broadwater, Luke. “What We Know About the Impeachment Case Against Biden.” NYT, 12 September 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/us/politics/biden-impeachment-case.html.